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Questions empty shelves

Dec 3, 2012

To the Editor: In reference to Love INC's ongoing campaign to fill their food pantry shelves, a review of their most-recent IRS form 990, available at www.guidestar.org, shows that they reported a savings and checking account balance of $893,793.

The services that LoveINC provides go far beyond a food pantry, the short list being financial and family counseling, a free health clinic, men's and women's homeless shelters, an affordable laundry service, and providing appliances and furniture to under-resourced people. I am going out on a limb to guess that some of that money is from the capital campaign for the shelters -- the next phase of which is to create a shelter for families to be able to stay together. While no organization is perfect, and all are run by fallible human beings, I believe that LoveINC has a tremendously good track record in our community, and is not gaining any "...profit from community generosity." I am dismayed to see thinly-veiled accusation made public, rather than going to LoveINC to ask this question.

Maybe Josh's comment was inappropriate in some ways. His underlying point, however, is that often there is a guilt trip laid on the general public, and religious people in particular regarding 'charity' giving. It is important that transparency of finances be paramount if this type of work is to be done. The fact is that churches are businesses and are run like them. Most are there to make money, regardless of what anyone says. The driving factor behind most religious endeavors is money at its basest level. The costs of organizations drive this. Maybe love inc is completely on the level, but his skepticism shows that some further transparency is needed. It's not an individual, and they solicit funds, so that information should always be available. Josh may have an axe to grind, but sometimes people who have been on the inside of organizations are a bit skeptical for a reason. Love inc should publish a letter explaining its financial positioning so that no more hard feelings are harbored. Then when all issues are aired out, honest conversation will make everyone stronger.

In Josh Bruggers’, Letter To The Editor he states “…shows that they reported a savings and checking account balance of $893,793.” Having visited Love INC before, I was informed that the “Pantry Shelves” food were all donations as well as other free food that doesn’t appear on the shelves. As far as the $894 thousand dollars goes, I don’t know why this would be an issue, unless Mr. Brugger knows something that he isn’t sharing with the rest of us. Personally, Love INC has provided me with many rides to my Doctor’s office in Grand Rapids and back which is a service much appreciated by me and I’m sure others who use this service as well. From my many visits to Love INC I have seen the shelves completely filled with food and an overflow of food in boxes to the shelves somewhat bare which usually means that people take advantage of the Free Food policy which is what’s meant to happen. . My question is: Why is Josh Brugger asking this question in the first place?

Maybe a good old fashion IRS or Michigan Treasury's audit is in order... That would certainly straighten out the trouble... But lets wait... In 2013 those deductions are cut in half under the current plan.